Page 75 of A Queen and HER Bad Boy
Judging from her phone calls, she had done her best to return the favor.
Pulling from the bed, Achilles was torn in a million directions, from his loyalty to his sister, to the love he could now admit that he had for Bris. Looking over at his wife, swallowed in his sweats and t-shirt, her hair tousled and makeup smeared—his heart melted as she rushed to her closet to find something more suitable to greet her father in, all while he couldn’t keep his eyes off her graceful movements. Some dark suspicion warned him that Chises would try to make him choose between them.
He wouldn’t let that happen!
Finally, Bris shooed him away with a laugh, throwing a suit into his hands with a desperate light in her eyes while she moved for the shower. He dressed hurriedly while she did her best to cover that appalling bruise on her cheek with powder. Rushing back into their bedroom, she threw on her shoes while he worked on his tie; they transformed from sweethearts back into their royal roles. The closeness they felt for each other this morning felt precious and fragile, something to be protected from the storm that was approaching. And somehow… somehow, they’d made it in time to greet her father in the formal reception hall.
Chises Mnon stood like a general surveying a battlefield, his once jet-black hair now streaked with silver. His substantial frame commanded attention even in civilian clothes, and his heavy brows drew together in that familiar expression of stern displeasure.
Bris approached him carefully, her posture regal in a fashionable white skirt and blouse ensemble. “Father, such a surprise you are here.”
He rolled his eyes with theatrical annoyance. “Is it? After you were almost killed?” His sharp gaze shot to her bruised cheek, where he no doubt discovered what Achilles had—even Bris’s talent at painting her face couldn’t hide what Aggie had done to her. “What kind of father would I be not to come? Things have grown quite… disruptive in Tirreoy.”
“And yet you brought my sister here.” Achilles studied Gena for any sign of distress. She looked pale with a stubborn twist to her lips, her usually bright demeanor subdued. The tall, muscular bodyguard stayed close enough to touch her, and something in his protective stance made Achilles’s jaw clench resentfully.
Why hadn’t Achilles taken more care in approving who filled this role? He didn’t like the way the man’s steel-blue eyes followed Gena’s every move with an intensity that had nothing to do with professional duty. Uh no—no wonder Gena had been annoyed, though she didn’t look half as annoyed as he thought she should be.
“Gena? Are you… well?”
Her expression turned careful like the hostage she was before she answered. “Yes… of course.”
Achilles wasn’t satisfied. Either way, Chises Mnon had overstepped his bounds. He turned to the older man, trying to prevent the angry helplessness simmering through him from showing. “I don’t like that you brought Gena here! Tirreoy has become a dangerous place. Aggie Mnon hasn’t been found, and we have no idea who’s working with him.”
Chises Mnon swung around to face Achilles, glaring. “It’s obvious who the culprits are.”
“There is more going on here than the Myrdons,” he growled.
“And what would that be?”
“I don’t know—don’t you have spies or something? Use them for something good for a change. Bris is still in danger from your nephew!”
Chises Mnon’s brow went up in that mocking way of his. “That’s why I keep you around. You’re not entirely incompetent.” His assessing eyes moved to his slinged arm. “I heard what you did to save my daughter’s life, and I can only extend my appreciation. Nothing can happen to the future monarch of Tirreoy.”
That future monarch happened to be his wife. “I will always protect Bris,” he grumbled, hoping that he looked untouched while saying her name, the act of a lifetime when he just wanted to take her back into his arms and shield her from all of this.
Bris stood beside him like a queen carved from marble, her composure perfect despite the faint rose of color in her cheeks. Her lips were still slightly swollen from his kisses—did that give them away? If her father knew the depth of his feelings, then he would use it to his advantage.
Already, the man’s eyes were narrowed on them both, a chess master getting ready to move his pieces to win the game. “You fired one of my best men.” He shook his finger at Achilles. “You!” His meaning was unmistakable—just as Phoenix had raged against him those many nights ago—Achilles didn’t have the right to make that call.
And yet, Bris had given him that power, a fact that would only enrage her father more, and Achilles wouldn’t bring it up. Instead, he asked, “Did you come to lecture me?”
Chises Mnon’s face tightened into rigid lines. “Phoenix reported that you talked to a man named… O Skia.”
“Yes…” He noticed how carefully his father-in-law watched him, and he kept back any emotion that might give away his fury. “Phoenix had him executed.”
Relief flooded Chises Mnon’s eyes, and he let out a deep breath. “I see.”
That was it? No explanation? No further lectures? Enraged, Achilles hounded him for more answers. “How long did you know that Aggie Mnon was after us? Is it true you hurried our marriage because you heard he escaped?”
“That is no longer something you need to worry about,” Chises Mnon snapped. “He won’t bother you any longer.”
What did he mean? Was he keeping more secrets from them? “Did you catch him?”
The older man’s gaze went back to his daughter, deliberately ignoring the question like he was putting a pesky peasant in his place. “That is not why I’ve come! Bris’s bid for the crown has been approved by the High Consortium. The coronation will be in four days’ time.”
The news felt like another punch in the gut, stealing his breath away. Their life was forever changing on Christmas Eve. A part of Achilles had believed that she’d never be elevated as Tirreoy’s ruler, especially after appearing in yet another of Deedeelicious viral videos. The faces of the disapproving diplomats and the other puppet master’s sneers from the party two weeks ago flashed through his mind; these were the same ones who’d turned a blind eye to the suffering caused by this flood. They cared nothing for this people, only money. The Earl of Alexopoulos was only more obvious about it than the others.
“While I had hoped that the Myrdons would be pleased by your installation here, Achilles,” Chises Mnon continued in a dry tone that suggested his disdain, “it would seem you are not their pawn after all.”Oh… because he’d almost died protecting Bris from them? Had he proved himself going up against Aggie Mnon finally?“The powers that be are satisfied.”
